Earth-grader



(No Mode.) u5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. ELLIOTT.

EARTH GRADER. No.494`05. PatentedApr.-4,1s9s.

5 She'ets-Sheet 2.

J ELLIOTT.

(No Modem EARTH GRADBB..

Patented Apr. 4, 1893.

5 Shets-Sheet 3. J. ELLIOTT. EARTH GRADER.

(No Model.)

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' 5 Sheets-Sheet 4. J. ELLIOTT. EARTHGRADER.

.(No Monial.)4

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(No Model.) 5 sheetssheen 5.

J; BLLIOIT. BARTH GRADBR,

Patented Apr. 4, 1893.

145027Z my@ lUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN ELLIOTT, OF LATOUR, MISSOURI.

EARTH-GRADER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters atent No. 494,805, dated April 4,1893.

Application filed June 6, 1892. Serial No. 435,738. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN ELLIOTT, of Latour, Johnson county, Missouri,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Earth-Graders,ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to machines for excavating earth for grading,ditching, road and railway work, and for other similar and hindredpurposes, and the objects of my invention are to produce an earthexcavatingand grading machine which shall be simple, strong, durable,and inexpensive in construction, of light draft and also of great power,and which shall be compactly and easily under the control of anattendant or operator. Furthermore, to produce an earth excavator andgrader which shall, in addition to the advantages above enumerated, becapable of' easy adjustment so as to cut at any desired depth, and soalso as to discharge the excavated earth at any desired point, whethersuch point be upon a level with the machine, or below or above suchlevel.

A still further obj ect of my invention is to produce an earth excavatorand grader which shall be entirely automatic and reliable in itsoperations, and the discharging conveyor of which shall be readilyadjustable so as to accord both with the requirements of the point ofdelivery of. the excavated earth, and with respect to the tension of itsdelivering-belt, so as to accord with variations in load and characterof materials delivered.

To the above purposes my invention consists in certain peculiar andnovel features of construction and arrangement, as hereinafter describedand claimed.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, 'l will proceed todescribe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an earth excavating and grading machineembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3is a transverse vertical section of the same, on the line 3-3 ot Fig. 1.Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a longitudinalvertical section ou an enlarged scale of the delivery attachments of theinachine, on the line 5 5 of Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section ofthe same also on an enlarged scale, and on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2. Fig.7 is a vertical longitudinal section ofthe same, also on an enlargedscale, and on the line 7-7 of Fig. l. Fig. 8 is a transverse verticalsection of the same, also on an enlarged scale, and on the line 8 8 ofFig. 1. Fig. 9 is a detached perspective view also on an enlarged scale,of the fixed portion of rthe tension-mechanism of the delivery belt orapron of t-he machine. Fig. 10 is a detached perspective View, also onan enlarged scale, of the movable tension-bracket for the delivery beltor apron of the machine. Fig. 11 is adetached perspective View, also onan enlarged scale, of the pivotal hangers and shoe of theexcavating-trough or scoop. Fig. 12 is a detaehed perspective view, alsoon an enlarged scale, of the pivotal hanger for one of thecarrying-wheels of the machine. Fig. 13 is a veri tical longitudinalsection of the machine, also on an enlarged scale, and on the line 13-13of Fig'. 1. Fig. 14 is a transverse vertical section of the same, alsoon an enlarged scale, and on the line 14-14 of Fig. 1. Fig. l5 is adetached perspective view of the pivot-bracket for the delivery-frame.

The main framework of the machine is preferably of rectangular form andof skeleton construction, as shown; said frame consist-ing of the pairsof parallel longitudinal beams or bars 1 located at each side of themachine frame, the one above the other, the said pairs of beamsconstituting the sides of the main frame. At their front ends, these twopairs of beams or bars .1 are. connected together by a horizontal crossbar or beam 2 which forms the front end of the main frame, and the endsof which are interposed between the front vends of the sidebars or beams1 and bolted thereto, as at 3, or otherwise securely connected thereto.Intermediately ofthe two side bars or beams l, and parallel therewith,are placed two pairs of longitudinal barsor beams e one beam or bar ofeach pair being located directly abovetheotherand said pairs of beamsbeing located at opposite pointsiroin the transverse middle oi theframe; the front ends of said intermediate bars or beams 4 being boltedto the upper and .lower sides of the front bars orbeams 2, as shown at5, or otherwise suitably IDO quired passage of the rear end of thescoopor trough, as hereinafter described-and said inner ends are bolted,as at 5, or otherwise securely connected between the :rear ends of..

the intermediate bars 4 of the frame. .,At each end of the main frame ofthe machine, and at a suitable height above the same, extends ahorizontal cross-'beam or bar 6; these two cross beam-s or barsextending parallel with each other transversely of ythe machine-frame,and bei-ng supported upon the upper ends of four vertical standards?which rise from the four corners of the machine frame, as shown; thelower ends of lthestandards `being bolted, as'at 8, `tothe frame, andthe upper Aends of said standards being bolted, as `at 9, to the ends ofthe side 'beams or bars 6. It is to be understood that the main frame ofthe machine, thus constructed is built prefer'ably of wooden beams, butVif preferred, said frame may be built of `metal bars, withoutydeparting from the essential spirit of'my invention. Upon the crossbars or beams V6 is secured a 'horizontal platform 10, Awhichcorresponds approximately, in length and width, with the main frame,vand upon which vthe driver or attendant may stand or be seated, asdesired. From the lfront cross ybeam or bar 2-of the machine frameprojectforwardly two eye-bolts 1l to which are connected two rods 12;the' said eye-bolts being located toward the right hand -end of thefront bar or beam 2, and said-rods 12beingdesigned for vconnection to asuitable doubletree or whililetree by means of which the draft animalsare harnessed to the machine.

To the inner sidesiof the two left hand sidebars -1 are bolted, as at13, orotherwise suitably secured, two metal `guide-straps 14 throughwhich passes the vertical standard 15of the left hand carrying-wheel 16of the machine; said wheel being journaled upon a stud -or bolt 17 whichprojects laterally from the lower end of the said standard'l.l To theupper end of this standard 15 is pivotally connected, as `at 18, thefront end of the lower arm 19 of an adjusting-lever 20; the arm 19projecting forwardly at about right angles from the bod y-portion of thelever so that said lever is of approximately L-form. This lever 20 ispivotcd, as at 2l, at the pointof juncture of the lower end of the leverwith i-tsarm.

the lever working through a slot 24 which is The inner yends of formed.longitudinally in the corresponding side of the .platform 10. Itwillthus 'be seen that by throwing the upper part of the lever 2Oforward or backward, the corresponding side of the main frame will becorrespondingly raised or lowered, respectively.

In the front end-portion of the lower right hand side bar or beam 1 isjournaled the outer end of a crank-shaft 25, and this shaft extendshorizontally inward through the corresponding ends of the lowerintermediate beams 4, as shown, and for a purpose to be hereinafter morefully explained. At points between the right hand side-beam 1 and theadjacent intermediate beam 4, and directly opposite each other `are'itwo:bolts or -their equivalents, lwhich are pivotallyengaged bythefront'endsof two metal lbars'26 whichextend parallelwifthl'eac'h'othe'r between the said slide bars and intermediate bars.Therear -ends-'of these bars 26 are rigidly Vconnected together by acrossbar 27, and into openings 28 which are formed through #said bars26, about midway of the length o'f the same, are inserted the-'ends ofvthespind-le 2901": thecompanion carrying-wheel y30; said wheel beingalso located between the two bars 1 and 4 above referred to. 'Throughtherear ends of the right hand side-bar 1f and of the adjacent intermediatebar14, extends a horizontal rockshaft 28 which reaches across the-rearend of the space inclosed by 4saidside and intermediate bars. Midway-ofitslength, this rockshaft 28 is formed with a forwardlyextendling-rock-arm 29 the Vfrontoroutereu-d S'Olfof which embracesthecross-bar 27 oft-helarms 26. At its VAou-ter-end-,fthe rock-shaft 28carries an actuating lever 31 which extends upward to above theicorresponding-f side `of the platform 10, and-theupper part :of whichengages a ratchet-segment 32' which is secured to 'the adjacent side ofthe platform 10. The arrangement is such that by throwing theupper partvof the lever 3l forward or backward, the corresponding side of the mainframe will be raised or lowered respectively. Th'eseoperations of thelevers 3l and 2O arefor the purpose of regulating the depth of cnt ofthe scoop or trough of the machine, as hereinafter described.

33 designates the excavating vtrough yor scoop of the machine. Thistrough or scoop is preferablyof metal, but permissiblyof wood, and isalso of approximately fU-form in crosssection; the topl'of the trough-orscoop being left open. This trough or scoop'is of such vlength as toextend from a point in advance of the transverse center of the machinerearward to and beyond the rear end of the main frame of thesame; thesaid trough or scoop extending obliquely upward and rearward from itsfront to its rearend, as-shown. The front portion of this scoop ortrough is supported bya U-shaped hanger 34; the horizontal lower IOOportion of this extending transverselyacross 'the upper side of thebottom ofthe trough or scoop, near the front end thereof, and vbeingbolted or otherwise securely fastened thereto. The two arms of thisbracket extend obliquely upward and forward, and are bolted to the innersides of the two pairs of intermediate frame-bars 4, as shown at 35. Therear end of this trough or scoop is supported by a rectangular bracket36 the upper horizontal portion of which is bolted, as at 37 to theunder side of the rear cross-bar 6 of the machine frame, and the lowerlhorizontal portion of which extends transversely of the under side ofthe bottom of the trough, near the rear end thereof; this lower portionbeing bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the trough, and the armsor side portions of the bracket extending vertically downward from thecrosspiece (3.

Upon the crank-shaft 25, at a point between the right hand side bar ofthe main frame and the adjacent right hand intermediate bar 4, ismounted a sprocket-pinion 38 over which runs a sprocket-chain 39; saidchain extending rearwardly and running over a second sprocket-wheel 40which is vmounted upon the hub 4l of the carrying-wheel 30 of themachine. This hub 4l is prolonged outwardly so as to properly carry thesprocket wheel 40, and the said hub turns upon the spindle 29, while thewheel 40 turns with thc hub. The crank-shaft 25 is formed, at a pointbetween the two intermediate frame bars or beams 4, with twocrank-sections 42 and 43, which extend radially opposite from eachother, and to which are connected the front ends of two feeder-bars 44and 45. These bars carry, at their front ends, suitable bearings 46which embrace the cross-bars of the crank-sections 42 and 43, and whichare bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the front ends of thefeeder-bars. Near its rear end each o f these feeder-bars carriesasuitable bearing 47 which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured tothe upper side of the feeder-bar, and which bearings embrace twocrank-sections 4S and 49 of a crank-shaft 50. This crank-shaft 50 isjournaled at its ends in suitable bearings 51 which are bolted orotherwise secured near the rear ends of the upper sides of theintermediate bars 4; said shaft extending horizontally across the spacebetween said intermediato bars. That end of the rear crank-shaft 50which projects beyond the left hand intermediate bar4 carries asprocket-wl1eel52 over which extends a sprocket-chain 53 which leadsforwardly and passes around asecond sprocket-wheel 54 which is mountedupon the corresponding end of the front crank-shaft 25. Thus it will beseen that as the machine is drawn forward, rotary motion will beimparted through the sprocket-chain 39 to the front crank shaft 25, andthence, through the sprocket-chain 53 to the rear crank-shaft; thecrank-sections 42, and 43, and 48 and 49 revolving si multaneousl y soas to carry the feedarms rearward after their down-strokes and forwardafter their tip-strokes. The feedingbars 44 and 45 are either ofwood orof metal,

and each of said bars carries a number of pendent hangers 55, the upperends of which are bolted, as at 56, to the feed-bars, and which arependent from said bars. At their lower ends, the hangers 55 carry theshovels or blades 57, which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured tothe hangers and which extend transversely within the trough or scoop 33;each of said blades being of a length equal to about one half ot'` thewidth of the trough or scoop 33, and said blades moving over each otherand successively rearwardly near `the bottom of the trough or scoop.This action causes the blades to feed the earth rearward through thetrough or scoop, and to discharge such earth through the rear end ofsaid trough or scoop.

To the horizontal lower portion of the front scoop ortrcugh supportingbracket 34 is secured, by any suitable number of bolts as GO, a blade orshoe 59 which extends across the frontend ofthe bottom of the trough orscoop, and the front edge of which is brought to a suitablecutting-edge, as shown.V lt will thus be seen that as the machine isdrawn forward, the knife 59 will cut a slice from the earth, and thatsuch slice will pass rearward into the trough or scoop and there be fedby the blades 57, as above described.

6l designatesa gear-pinion which is mounted upon the right hand end ofthe crank-shaft 25, and the teeth of which engage with the teeth of asimilar beveled-gear pinion 62 which is mounted upon the front end of acountershaft 63. This counter-shaft G3 extends longitudinally at theright hand side of the machine-frame and its front end is journaled in asuitable bearing-bracket 64 which is bolted or otherwise suitablysecured to the outer side of the right hand side-bars l of themachineframe.

which is secured to the right hand end of the rear cross-bar 2 of themachine-frame; the portion 65 of said bar projecting outward from theframe to receive the bracket 66. At its rear end, the counter-shaft G3carries a sprocket-wheel 67 over which passes a sprocket-chain 68 whichtransmits motion to the deliveryxnechanism of the machine, ashereinafterexplained.

To the rear end of the machine-frame is secured a horizontal rearwardlyextending pivot-bracket 69, this pivot bracket being of approximatelyL-form, and having an arm 76 depending at right angles from the outerend of the bracket--as shown, and for a purpose to be presentlyexplained. Theinner end 70 of this bracket rests upon the upper side ofrear cross bar 2a near the end of the right hand intermediate bar 4, andis bolted in such position, as at 77. Near its front end,this horizontalbracket 69 is formed integrally with a short pendent arm 7 8 to thelower end of which are integrally united the inner ends of twobracketarms 72 and 75. Midway between its upper and lower ends, thependent The rear end of this counter-shaft is journaled in a suitablebearing-bracket 6G' IIO length of the latter.

arm 78 is formed, at its front` side witha short integraliv yforwardlyprojecting arm 71, as` shown. The arm 72 projects horizontally at rightangles from the arm 78, and its width projects forwardly from said arm78; the outer or left hand 4end of the arm 72 bei-ng formed with anupwardlyextendfing portion 73 and the upper end of the latter beingformed with lan .outwardly extending horizontal portion 74. The arm 75projects horizontally rearward parallel with the bracket. 69, and at itsouter end said arm 75 is formed with a pendenft'arm 7Ga which extendsatright angles from the rear end-of the arm 75.V When the bracket is inposition, the short horizontal yarm 71 extends directly beneath thesaine bar 2, and is secured to the said bolt 77 ias the arm 70. The arm.72 extends transversely beneath the rear-ends of the lower intermediatebars 4, and its upward extension lies against the outer side of the-lefthand intermediate bar 4, and thence outward horizontally beneath theleft hand cross bar 2a, to'wfhich it is bolted, as -at 77a, the said arm72 extending-also horizontally transversely beneath the rear part of thetroughor scoop 33.

I will now proceedto describe the delivery mechanism of the machine. Theframework of this delivery-mechanism is of 'oblong rectangular .form,and is composed lof two side bars or beams 80 which vare either of woodor metal, as preferred and which are pivotally connected, as at S1 and82, to the lower ends of they pendent arms 76 and 76 of the pivotbracketjlust described; the said pivotal 4connections 81 and `82 being near theleft hand endl of the frame. To this frame are connected the llower`ends of a supporting-chain 84, the said lower ends of the chain beingconnected to the side-bars of the deliveryframe by eye-bolts 83 whichextend vertically through saidside-bars about midway of the The upperends of this chain are connected -to the lower end of a chain 84theupper end of which is connected to the rear end of an adjusting-lever85. This adjusting-lever 85 extends obliquely across the main frame ofthe machine, from its.. rear right hand corner to its front left handcorner, and said lever is pivoted, as at 86, in the upper end of astandard 87 which is secured vertically upon the rear right hand lcornerof the platformv 10. The front end of the lever 85 yengages one oranother of the teeth-of a vertical ratchet-segment 87 which extendsupward froln the front left handhand end of the delivery frame will belowered; the engagement of the lever 85 with the ratchet-segment 87retaining said lever and the delivery-frame in any desired position ofadjustment.

let-*chains 95.

' The left hand ends of the side bars.` 80 ofthe delivery-'frame areconnected together rigidly by `a stationary Ycross-piece,

89 While the right hand'or ,outer ends of said .tershaft63 producing,through the sprocketchain 68, rotationof' the shaft 91, Afor a purposeto be hereinafter explained. Between the two side bars 80, `the-shaft 91carries two sprocket-Wheels 94 over which run ytwo'sprock- The frontends of. the sidebars 80 of this delivcry-fram'eare formed with twolongitudinal slots '95LL in whi'c'hfwork the movable `bearing-blocks 96vof `the outer shaft 97 `of the delivery-mechanism. 'Thesebearing-blocks are designed to beset toward `or away from the 4outer'ends :of the 4slots95 .and are retainedin any desiredposition'of'ad-justment by retaining pins 98 which areinsertedvertically .downward` through one or another of a number ot' openings 99which are formed through the upper sides of the Ysidie-bars80; the saidpins entering the .bearing-blocks 96. At points between the side-bars80, this front shaft 97 carries two sprocket-WheelslOO,'over which runthe sprocket-chains-95 before referred to. These .sprocketchains carry aflexible belt 101, which is `of leather, canvas, or other suitablematerial, and which is provided at intervals with transverse cleats 103.These cleats extend Vacross the outer surface of the belt 101 land aresecured thereto by rivets 104, or bolts, or equivalent means, and theextremities of said cleats aresecured to ears .102 which are formed uponthe inner sides ofthe links of .the sprocket-chains 95.

Above the side-'bars 80^of the delivery-f rame are mounted two'parallellongitudinal T-bars 106, the left hand or inner ends of which areconnected by a stationary 'cross-piece 107 which latter is bolted, at`1071L or otherwise suitably secured to the cross-piece 89 of the maindelivery-frame which is bolted as at 108 to the side bars V80. The righthand or outer ends of the two T- bars 106 are .connected togetherrigidly above the cross-bar which is secured to side bars 80 byvertically extending bolts 110 by a stationary cross-piece 111, suitablebolts 112 vpassing through the ends of the cross-piece and into the endsofthe T- pieces, as shown. The under side of the cross-piece 111 isformed with three pendent studs or bolts 113 which are preferably formedintegrally with said cross-piece and which extend downward through thecross-piece 90, and upon the externally screw-threaded lower ends ofwhich arescrewed retaining-nuts 114 which abut against the under side ofthe cross- IIO Lil

piece 90. Midway of its length, the stationary cross-piece 111 is formedon its outer side with a vertical rib 115 in the center of which isformed a socket 116, for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. Theouter side of the stationary cross-piece 111 is formed, near its endswith two vertical guide-ribs 115, also for a purpose to be hereinafterexplained. From the upper and lower ends of this rib 115 projecthorizontally outward two guide pins orstuds 117, the purpose of whichwill also be hereinafter explained. Through the crosspiece 11i, at eachside of the middle rib 115, are formed two vertical openings or slots118 through which pass the two side-belts of the delivery-mechanism, asalso hereinafter eX- plained.

119 designates a movable or adjustable cross-piece which is mounted uponthe right hand ends of the side-bars 80 of the frame. At its inner side,midway of the length of the same, is formed a vertical recess 120 whichreceives the middle or guide-rib 115 ot' the cross-piece 111, andthrough the cross-piece 119, from the outer to the inner side of thesame, extends a horizontal channel 121. Through this channel extends anadjustingscrew 122, the inner end of the stem of which enters the socket11G in the rim 115 of the cross-piece 111. Inthe middle of thecrosspiece 119 are formed two horizontal parallel channels 117 which arelocated the one above the other and which receive the guide-pins 117 ofthe cross-piece 111. The inner side of the cross-piece 119 is formedwith four recesses 123, which are located in pairs at the ends of thecross-piece, and which receive the guideribs 115% before referred to.The two ends of the movable cross-piece 119 are recessed, as at 12-1 andwithin these recesses are mounted two vertical rollers 125; the ends ofthe vertical shafts 126 of said rollers being journaled in the upper andlowersides of the ends of said cross-piece. Between the ends of thecross-piece 107, and 89 at the opposite end of the side bars 80, aremounted two vertical rollers 127 each of which is placed in alignmentwith one of the outer rollers 125, just described. Around each pair ofrollers 125 and 127, at each side of the frame of thedelivery-mechanism, extends a continuous ilexible belt or band 128 ofleather, canvas, or other suitable material, the said bands thusextending horizontally at each side of the belt 101, and being providedat intervals with cleats 129, which extend transversely of the outersides of the belts, and which are secured to said belts by rivets 130 orequivalent means. Itis to be observed that the cleats 129 are placedupon the belts 128 at such intervals that the lower end of each of saidcleats engages the front side of the end of one of the cleats 103;, thearrangement being such that as the upper part or strand of the belt 101moves from the inner to the outer end of the delivery-frame, theengagement of the cleats 103 with the cleats 129 shall cause the innerparts or strands of the side belts 12S to move in the same direction. 1twill thus be seen that the earth discharged at the rear end of thetrough or scoop 33 will fall upou'the belt 101, and will be carried bysaid belt and the belts 12S, to the outer end of the deliveryframe anddischarged from said frame.

From the above description it will be seen 4 revoluble power doublecrank shaft geared to one of the wheels of the frame, a revoluble doublecrank shaft mounted in the rear end of the frame, atrough or scoopsupported longitudinally of the frame, and extending obliquely upwardand rearwardly therein, and a pair of parallel bars pivotally supportedyby the crank-shaft sections, and adapted to move successively in thescoop, substantially as described.

2. An earth excavating and grading machine, comprising a suitablehorizontally arranged frame-work, a pivoted hanger sup ported withinsaid frame-work and vertically adjustable, a carrying wheel mounted uponthe spindle or cross bar of the said hanger, a carrying wheel alsosupported at the opposite side of the machine, and vertically adjustablethereto, a front power crank-shaft mounted upon the machine frame, and arear crank-shaft also mounted upon the machine frame, sprocket wheelscarried by said shafts, and chains connecting said sprocket wheels, alongitudinal scoop or trough mounted in the machine frame and extendingobliquely upwardly and rearwardly therein, and a pair of longitudinallyreciprocatory feeder bars connected to the cranks of said shafts andcarrying feeder blades working longitudinallyin said trough or scoop,substantiallyV as described.

3. An earth excavating and grading machine, comprising a suitablehorizontally arranged frame-work, a pivoted U shaped hanger supportedwithin said frame-work, and a carrying wheel mounted upon the spindle orcross bar of said hanger, and a vertically arranged lever, mounted onthe frame-work and engaging a rack bar and having a crank arm at itslower end engaging the cross bar of the hanger, and a carrying wheel atthe opposite side of the frame-work mounted vertically adjustablethereto, and a vertically arranged lever, engaging a rack-bar at itsupper end and having a crank arm at its lower IOO ' endpivotall-yconnected-Lo a Vertiealbar :Bef curedtothe-oarrying Wheel,substaniially as described.

4. An earth excavating and grading-machine, comprising a vehioleframehaving la platform mounted upon its top and 7raifsel above the same, arack-frame vmounted at each Side of the platform, vertically adjustablecarrying-Wheels mounted beneath the ro frame, and pvotedadjusting-levers mounted at eaeh side of the frame andengagingthroughviriterriledare mechanism deseribedftheaxles of said eerryi11g-Wheelsvand also engagin-gthe said rack-frames, substantallyas set forth.

In testimony whereofI affix mfy-siguature-in 15 the presence oftwoWitnesses..L

. JOHN ELLIOTT.- Witnesses:

WILLIAM C. TAYLOR, GEO; S. YOUNG.

